The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-05-11
A FEMININE APOLOGY.
An Incident Showing That the Ways OF
Woman Are Past Finding Out.

bUIiftH ARC dSL ouLs
/ was standing in Independence Hal
one day last summer, gazing at thu
old liberty bell of which Philadelphians
are so justly proud, when well
dressed, middle-aged lady came in, ant
later on a MISUNDERSTANDING old man.
The three of us stood and gazed and
felt awed and overcome. That old bell
with the crack down its side carried us
back to the days when freedom wanted
to shrek, but dasn't, and when King
Somebody wanted us to pay too high a
price for young Hyson tea. think l
was the most deeply affected. The
woman seemed to be looking the bell
over to see if it had hustle or a new
bonnet, and the old man, who was
doubtless q Quaker, squinted his
right eye and seemed to cal
culate that his yoke of steers
could shake that bell all over ten
acre lot if it were placed on a stone
boat, The woman went out so softly,
and my mind was so busy with Cen
eral Putnam, Molly Pitcher and Valley
Forge, that l didn't notice her alb
scnce. After awhile I looked up, de-
cided that wanted more room for my
feelings, and started to 60 out Just
then the woman re-entered, and there
was policeman behind her.
9Th at is the man, sir!' she said to
the officer, as she motioned towards
me.
."Ah! He is, eh! Couldn't have been
this old gran ger, chi"
mo, sir! This man is the only one
who came near me-. ;"
ANY thing happened here not con-
nected with the Declaration of Inde-
pendenceP" l anxiously inquired.
THAT won't go down, young man,
not with metz exclaimed the officer,
us he hustled around and got out his
handouts.
"You evidently desire to make my
acquaintance.
Exactly. Put your hand in there,
and don't try to play me any tricks.
Now, then, come along, and this lady
will please follow"
us he depredator, or something's"
earnestly inquired the old man.
as hep | should remarkr" answered
the officer. "Hes the daisiest depre-
dator on this coast, and it's a wonder
he hasn't got your wallet as WELL"
The old man was going down into
his hind pocket to see if his calf-skin
was safe as we left and one or two
people who were coming in had the
kindness to remark that had the look
of a born thief
"Ah! you bet he has!'' chuckled the
officer as he gave me an affectionate
look. 'If haven't got the darbies on
the wrists of Billy the Kid I'm no
goodr'
Let me give you piece of advice.
Ii you are ever arrested on the street
60 quietly with the officer. 1t will do
no good to plead innocence or amaze
ment or seek to convince him that he
has made mistake. His intention is
to run you in. After he has put you
under arrest he has no right to let you
go. The three of us went straight to
headquarters, and / hadn't word to
say en- route. The woman wanted me
to confess the error of my ways, but 1
preferred not to just then. When we
went in the officer explained that I
had picked the woman's pocket Of a
purse containing twelve dollars, and
that he mad had his eye on me for sew.
eral days.
$50 he picked your pocketp" queried
the superintendent of the woman.
ayes, SIR"
(Which pocket was it IMP"
"ln this one-the right-hand."
"Sure you didn't lose itp''
GAS sure as live"
Didn't put it in your dress pocket,
did youp"
ooh, no, sir; had it"
She stopped her speech to feel in her
dress pocket. In few seconds she
flushed red and then turned white, and
out came the purse. She looked at it
In perfect establishment, and then tried
pretty hard to faint away.
"Then he didn't pick your pocket
it seems! observed the superintend-
emit
.'No--no, sir. I remember now Of
putting it in my dress for fear Of los.
ing II"
"Well. you have had an honest man
handcuffed and dragged through the
streets, aud what are you going to do
about ltP'
Yes, what is she going to do about
IT, exclaimed the officer in whisper.
THE idea of his being thief I'd
know better with my eyes shutr'
IL don't know-Tll beg his par
Ion and say that -. No, won t.
either! He would probably have taken
Is if he could-so there!'
And with that she spread her wings
md sailed away, and the officer
after, and the superintendent
md had cigar together and agreed
hat this was queer world. Quad.
n Detroit Free Press.
How Indians Catch Eagles.